Oracle bone script

Definition

Oracle bone script is an ancient form of Chinese writing that dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) and is primarily found on animal bones and turtle shells. This script represents the earliest known form of Chinese characters and was used for divination purposes, where inscriptions would be made to ask questions of ancestors or deities, and the results would be interpreted based on the cracks formed during heating.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Oracle bone script is the oldest confirmed form of Chinese writing and provides crucial insights into early Chinese civilization and its beliefs.
2. The inscriptions typically recorded royal inquiries related to agriculture, warfare, health, and ancestral worship, reflecting the concerns of the Shang rulers.
3. Oracle bones were often treated as sacred objects, and the divination process involved heating them until they cracked, with patterns interpreted by diviners.
4. The script features many pictographs and ideograms that laid the groundwork for the development of modern Chinese characters.
5. Excavated oracle bones have been found in modern-day Anyang, Henan province, which was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty.

Review Questions

• How does oracle bone script reflect the cultural practices of the Shang Dynasty?
  • Oracle bone script provides a direct link to the cultural practices of the Shang Dynasty by revealing their reliance on divination to make important decisions. The inscriptions on oracle bones were primarily used to communicate with ancestors and deities about matters such as agriculture, health, and warfare. This practice illustrates how deeply intertwined religion and governance were during this period, as rulers sought divine guidance through written questions and subsequent interpretations.
• Discuss the significance of oracle bone script in understanding the evolution of Chinese writing systems.
  • Oracle bone script is significant because it marks a crucial stage in the evolution of Chinese writing systems. As one of the earliest forms of written language in China, it showcases a variety of pictographs that not only served immediate practical purposes but also laid foundational elements for later scripts. Understanding oracle bone script allows scholars to trace how these early characters transformed over time into more complex forms used in contemporary Chinese writing.
• Evaluate how oracle bone script serves as a primary source for historians studying early Chinese civilization and its socio-political structure.
  • Oracle bone script acts as a primary source for historians by offering concrete evidence about early Chinese civilization's social hierarchy, religious beliefs, and political structures. The content of these inscriptions reveals insights into royal authority, as many questions were directed at divinities regarding state matters. Furthermore, analyzing these writings allows historians to reconstruct aspects of Shang society, such as their agricultural practices and military strategies, providing a comprehensive view of their daily lives and governance.

Related terms

Shang Dynasty:

The Shang Dynasty is one of China's earliest recorded dynasties, known for its advancements in bronze work, social structure, and the development of writing systems.

Divination: Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by interpreting signs or omens, often involving rituals and symbolic representations.

Chinese characters: Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and several other Asian languages, representing words or morphemes rather than sounds.